French President mourns death of Gabonese president

PARIS -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday expressed his condolences over the death of Gabon's President Omar Bongo Ondimba.

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In a communique released Monday evening, Sarkozy regarded Bongo as a "great and faithful" friend of France as well as a key character in Africa, saying he was sad about the Gabonese president's death.

The French president praised Bongo's efforts to realize peace on the African continent and said that France and Gabon have long maintained friendly ties and would stand by Gabon and its people at the current moment.

Gabon's Vice Prime Minister Geogette Koko announced on Monday that Bongo passed away in Barcelona, Spain at 73 earlier in the day. He served as president for 42 years, the longest among his African peers.